The mosquito-borne Zika virus could reach Kentucky this spring or summer, public health officials said.

Officials held a news conference Monday morning to educate people about prevention.

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The virus could spread from those who become infected in other countries and come to the United States.

"If someone comes into the country, they are actively infected with the virus within seven to 10 days of infection. If they were to become bitten by a mosquito here at home that is not infected, that mosquito the could go on to bite their next-door neighbor," said Dr. Ardis Hoven, an infectious disease specialist.

Experts suggest wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and using insect repellent.

Also, get rid of standing water at your home that serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Dr. Grayson Brown, a public health entomologist, has been studying the Zika virus internationally and collecting mosquito samples in Kentucky.

He says a specific mosquito species carries Zika virus and that species exists in Kentucky.

"Of that species, it is 1 out of about 5,000 mosquitoes we catch here in Kentucky,” Brown said.

Brazil is now at the front line of the outbreak.

"If you were to travel to Rio now (and go) outside in a typical neighborhood, (the) risk of getting Zika is about 10 percent,” Brown said.

Brown said for people who live in Kentucky, by the end of the mosquito season, almost all of them will have been exposed to Zika virus.

There are now six confirmed cases of Zika virus in Kentucky. All of those were contracted outside the United States.

Zika virus is linked to a serious birth defect called microcephaly, which causes a baby to have an abnormally small head and other complications.